Why has the AMT delayed the introduction of more departures along the Lakeshore Line?
AMT improvements to Lakeshore line put back to 2014. Why the delay?
Subject: AMT backtracks on additional West Island trains Six new departures cannot be added to Vaudreuil-Hudson until improvements to tracks are completed in 2014: spokesperson, By Andy Riga, GAZETTE TRANSPORTATION REPORTER November 12, 2012 [http://www.montrealgazette.com/backtracks+additional+West+Island+trains/7535452/story.html]
The delay has to do with the fact that CPR has not as yet reinstalled track 1, (3rd track to the south), between Vendome & Montreal West, although preparatory work has begun. A new base of crushed stone ballast has been set down. There is also a need for a few passing sidings/signals not as yet installed between Lachine and St. Annes. Another issue that will become clearer in December, once CPR announces is its long term plans, is about the future of the Lachine IMS Terminal which impacts the flow of train traffic. Reading between the tea leaves, it seems as if “ratioanlization” and consolodation of CP assets will occur and IMS, (Intermodal Services/domestic and pacific marine containers), will be fitted into CP’s St Luc Yard in the area of the former Hump Yard near Cavendish.
While biking along Mackle and the perimeter of St. Luc Yard on Saturday I took CP Chief Hunter Harrison’s words into consideration:
“We took a place like Montréal where we have an intermodal facility, we have an expressway operation, we have a freight operation and we have 2 auto compounds that are all separate entities operationally. Well, I wish you could see Montréal today, some of the changes have been made by the operating team. The yard is 60% or 70% clear, and what that affords us opportunity-wise, just as an example of what you can do with the footprint, is to give us enough space to consolidate all of those operations together. And at the same time, one of those areas that we would vacate real estate-wise has a tremendous value associated with it of millions of dollars.”
E. Hunter Harrison – Chief Executive Officer, President, Director and Member of Safety, Operations & Environment Committee
The western part of the yard from the steam plant/Diesel Shop/Round House remnant heading west to Meadowbrook and the original automobile compound is active. The second automobile compound near Blue Bonnets is also active and full up. The western part of Sortin near Meadowbrook is used as a truck/rail transfer point for covered hoppers carrying plastic pellets. The eastern part of Sortin is the new AMT yard/facility. However, the former hump yard near Cavendish, (eastern part of the yard), is eerily empty. It is still lighted though.
Conclusions/Educated Guesses:
1. Possibility that IMS be shifted to eastern part of St. Luc Yard and Lachine IMS sold off similar to CN’s Tucot to Taschereau Yard shift.
2. Increase and ramp up of oil/ethanol trains from West/Midwest to Port of Albany, NY and NB/Irving.
3. Eventual increase in European bound Port of Montreal container trains although there is a current lull because of economic crisis in Europe.
4. Les Cedres project probably in deep freeze especially after closure of Ottawa Valley Railway shortcut to W Canada.
These issues will impact where passing tracks are needed. Last Friday while traveling west on Highway 20, I witnessed train congestion on the CP line where two trains were attempting to enter St. Luc yard. One was an oil train, a recent addition to CPR’s business.
CPR will announce its long term (contraction/asset stripping), plans in Dec 2012.
AMT is also behind the eight ball in terms of access to Lucien L’Allier Station during construction of two adjacent buildings, acquisition of existing railways rights-of-way, ROWs, and electrification plans at least on the Westmount Subdivision given that the AMT is desperately testing the dual mode locomotives on CPR. CN does not want them until they get the OK form the the federal safety board.
Three chiefs in a year, (read political appointments), does not speak well. Former VIA Rail Paul Coté head was a good man but was not the right political colours for the PQ government.
greenstarblog 
Clarification: Former VIA Rail Paul Coté is still a senior AMT adviser. Also the QC government, in its latest budget, has set aside funds for electrification.